Traveling Through Those Years Of Farming (Quick Transmigration) - Chapter 38

Lu Baobao thinks that the appearance of that man proves the plot is irreversible, but unexpectedly, this man, who plays an important role in the story, does not have much impact on their lives. 

In her view, the male and female protagonists, who overcome numerous difficulties in the original tale, don’t seem to share even a spark of love.

Her cousin stumbles upon the man in the back mountain, and after giving him some silver, she leaves him in the care of the doctor and others while focusing on building her own career. 

During the day, the “original male lead” is outside in the yard breathing in fresh air, while the “original female lead,” her cousin, is out selecting a location for their new store. Since their family has produced a top scholar, her cousin is finally ready to open a shop in the county town.

In the evenings, when the “original female lead” returns, the “original male lead,” who has just woken up and is still weak, is nearly ready to rest. Their interaction is limited to the brief time they spend together during dinner. 

In this household, the male lead has more contact with the two elders and Lu Jiafeng than with the original female lead.

It isn’t until he is picked up by a loyal servant who recognizes the mark he leaves that there is no spark between the two. 

Nevertheless, the “original hero” takes his cousin’s life-saving grace very seriously. Before leaving, he gives Lu Xiuyu a token bearing his family emblem and instructs the local governor to treat the Lu family with respect.

It can be said that even if Tang Dingyuan’s fame and fortune don’t improve, Lu Xiuyu won’t have to worry about her business being targeted or suppressed by the powerful. The identity of that man is enough to protect her throughout the entire prefecture.

It is also on the day that the man leaves that the Lu family realizes the significance of the person they have saved. 

He is the Marquis of Xinyang, and the current emperor is his uncle. When the emperor is still a prince, he is targeted for assassination. It is his father who saves the prince’s life by taking the arrow, but he is injured in the process, leaving him with only one son.

The old marquis has early on passed on the title to his heir due to the lingering effects of his injuries, and the current Marquis of Xinyang has often been taken to the palace by the emperor as a child. The emperor’s favor for him is no less than for any prince.

In Lu Baobao’s memory, the Marquis of Xinyang’s favor could continue into the reign of the next emperor, making him a very reliable support with exceptional staying power.

“I can’t believe he is actually a marquis!” Among everyone, Jiang Bai’e probably feels the most regret about the marquis’s departure.

“I should have asked you to take care of him while he recovers at home.” She looks at her daughter, who has not married by her 18th birthday, and feels a deep sense of regret. 

Haven’t there been many plays depicting how life-saving favors lead to a pledge of devotion? If she had known he is a marquis, she would have ensured her daughter stayed by his side day and night. That way, she could have saved his life and taken care of him. Even if she can’t become the marquis’s wife, being a concubine would still bring status and security.

Jiang Bai’e’s limited worldview shapes her thinking. In her mind, if her daughter could become the marquis’s woman, even just a concubine, they would enjoy endless wealth and glory, and her family would be blessed by the marquis’s estate.

If her daughter gives birth to a son or daughter for the marquis, wouldn’t that mean she could have a grandchild with a title?

For days, Jiang Bai’e sighs and laments, her thoughts becoming increasingly transparent.

Little does she know that, according to the original plot, her daughter does indeed become the marquis’s woman, not just a concubine, but his legitimate wife and his only partner for life. 

Thankfully, Jiang Bai’e remains unaware of this; otherwise, she would likely be furious.

One evening, as the whole family gathers for dinner, Jiang Bai’e broaches the same old topic once more. 

“You don’t cherish the opportunities that are right in front of you. At your age, there aren’t many choices left. Are you really prepared to be an old maid for the rest of your life?”

This year, none of the suitors who come to the Lu family are suitable. Either they have flaws, or they seek Lu Xiuyu for her ability to make money. The youngest son of the village chief from the neighboring village, whom they reject earlier, still seems like a decent option. At least he has a respectable background, has studied for a few years, and looks presentable.

Jiang Bai’e feels resentment toward her in-laws. She believes if they hadn’t spoiled their daughter, the eldest girl wouldn’t still be unmarried, while the second girl, who is naive and innocent, has secured such a good match.

“I just remembered I have an appointment with a shopkeeper to visit their store, so I won’t be eating at home tonight.” Lu Xiuyu listens to her mother’s complaints and feels a flicker of annoyance.

“Look at this child. She gets upset when I say a few words to her.” Watching Lu Xiuyu rush away, Jiang Bai’e becomes even angrier.

“Enough! You need to calm down. He’s a marquis; how can someone from our family associate with him? You’re just putting the eldest girl in jeopardy!” Lu Jiafeng scolds his wife.

“Why can’t I stop? The eldest girl is getting older, and the second girl is about to get married, yet the eldest sister still hasn’t found a match. Do you know how people outside are laughing at her? I’m the only one in this family who cares about the eldest girl; you don’t take her seriously at all!”

Lu Jiafeng’s attempts to persuade only make her more anxious.

“She’s even giving me attitude now. If she doesn’t want to eat, fine! If she has the ability, she shouldn’t come back to eat for the rest of her life!”

As she speaks, Jiang Bai’e picks up her bowl and takes a couple of bites. However, as her anger grows, she can’t finish her meal. After a while, she slams the bowl down on the table and storms back to her room.

The tension between mother and daughter is palpable. Those around them can only sigh.

Jiang Bai’e’s actions can’t be said to be right or wrong. The eldest girl’s age is indeed concerning. Many of Jiang Bai’e’s methods are rather aggressive and utilitarian, but in her shallow understanding, she believes that all of this is for her daughter’s own good.

******

“Why haven’t you asked a matchmaker to come over to propose yet?”

After lunch, Tang Dingyuan goes to the county and drops this line after finding his talkative friend.

“P-Propose?!” Tang Xiuyuan stumbles over his words, his cheeks flushing instantly.

“Don’t you like my eldest cousin? Her family is pushing her to get married. Do you want to see her marry someone else?” Tang Dingyuan asks directly.

He doesn’t have a deep relationship with Lu Xiuyu, but since Guibao admires her cousin so much, he has to lend a hand. Besides, rather than letting Lu Xiuyu constantly be around and compete with him for his wife’s attention, it’s better to find Lu Xiuyu a man who can occupy most of her energy early on so that Guibao will only belong to him.

“Who is Miss Xiu going to marry?” Tang Xiuyuan asks anxiously.

“If you don’t step up to propose, her future husband might be someone else.”

Tang Dingyuan feels that his friend is really slow. Despite how long it has been, there is still no progress between him and Lu Xiuyu, even though he often sees Tang Xiuyuan sticking close to her.

“I, I, I, I, I…” Tang Xiuyuan stumbles over his words, his tongue tripping again. “How do you know I like Miss Xiu?” 

His face turns even redder as he feels embarrassed, realizing his little secret has been discovered by his good friend.

“…” Tang Dingyuan falls silent. With how easily he blushes around others, who but Lu Xiuyu—the thick-headed one—doesn’t know he likes her?

“I’m not the kind of man who falls in love with everyone I meet, but I feel really happy when I see Miss Xiu for the first time. She’s really excellent… Am I even worthy of her?” Tang Xiuyuan wants to defend himself. “Do you think if I talk too much, Miss Xiu will find me annoying?”

“Hehe.” Tang Dingyuan can’t help but sneer. So he is aware he is a chatterbox.

“What if, what if Miss Xiu doesn’t like me?”

Tang Xiuyuan’s panic sets in, his innocent eyes blinking as he seeks reassurance from his good brother.

“Then you’ll just have to watch her marry someone else.” 

The hero Lu, who is portrayed as marrying a witch in the story Legend of the Sword and Fairy, is now quite cold. Not only does he offer no encouragement in love, but he also paints a grim picture of the potential tragedies that could occur in the future.

Suddenly, Tang Xiuyuan feels a surge of courage in his heart. He clenches his fists and leaves Tang Dingyuan’s side with a determined gait, like a hero marching to his death, to seek an answer from the woman he admires.

******

“Miss Xiu.” 

While calculating accounts, Lu Xiuyu looks up and sees Tang Xiuyuan, who is red-faced and sweating, standing in front of her.

“You, you like me, not… I, I like…” 

He has rehearsed so many words on the way, but now that he is face to face with her, he ends up stuttering.

“I… um, I want to…”

Tang Xiuyuan wipes the sweat dripping down his forehead and, seeing the girl’s expression growing serious, simply closes his eyes and asks, throwing caution to the wind, “I want to marry you. Will you be my wife? I have so much to say, and from now on, I’ll only say it to you.”

After saying this, all he can hear is the sound of his own heartbeat.

“Boom-boom-boom—” It feels as if it is about to leap out of his chest.

Tang Xiuyuan looks silly and foolish at that moment. Lu Xiuyu wants to laugh, but gradually her smile turns serious.

She begins to understand why she felt strange when she saved the Marquis of Xinyang. 

It is odd; on the day she finds him, she doesn’t intend to save the marquis. It isn’t out of cruelty, but because a man dressed in white jade and silk, clearly of high status, appears in the deep mountains and forests, wounded all over. He is obviously someone who has encountered an enemy she cannot afford to offend.

In a situation where it is impossible to determine whether the person is good or bad, bringing him home recklessly could bring disaster to her family. 

But a voice in the darkness tells her that this man is important to her and that she must save him. So, against her better judgment, she brings him home.

Fortunately, things turned out better than expected. The man is not a bad person but a powerful marquis. The threat that has been pursuing him is eliminated once he contacts his subordinates. Saving him not only avoids disaster for her family but also brings countless unimaginable benefits.

After he wakes up, Lu Xiuyu has a brief interaction with him and soon realizes that he is very much like her—ambitious and wary of everything around him. 

He is the first man she truly admires since coming to this world, yet strangely, she resists deepening her connection with him.

So, she begins to make excuses related to business to avoid spending time with him, reducing unnecessary communication between them.

At that time, Lu Xiuyu doesn’t understand why she feels such resistance toward him. 

She should recognize it when she rescues him and brings him home against her will. She should understand that perhaps there is indeed a destiny connecting them, a fate that ties her to him.